The XFL held its first Rookie draft on June 16th, 2023. With that, there are now the DC Defenders‘ draft picks to take a look at. It was announced that the XFL would expand to a 90-player roster, making room for these rookies. Just like all XFL players, these newly added players could still follow the NFL Out rule if they wish but have until December 26th to do so. The DC Defenders lost a decent number of players to the NFL following the 2023 season. Here is a look at the DC Defenders’ draft picks.
DC Defenders’ Draft Picks 2023
Former Tennessee P Paxton Brooks (37) – Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier/USA TODAY Sports
Paxton Brooks, Tennessee – P
One of the players that the DC Defenders drafted is Paxton Brooks, a punter from Tennessee. Brooks spent five years with Tenessee but only played in two games his freshman year, which was in 2018. Last season, Brooks played in all 13 games, punting 38 times for 1,486 yards, according to Sports Reference. He averaged just 39.1 yards per punt, which may have been a reason he was not picked in the 2023 NFL draft. Before the 2022 season, Brooks averaged over 40 yards per punt. Now, he is one of the DC Defenders’ draft picks.
Matt Carrick, Michigan State – OL
Matt Carrick spent six seasons with the Michigan State Spartans, being red-shirted in 2017. Carrick is more specifically a right guard. In 2022, Carrick only played in nine games after suffering a season-ending injury. This is definitely something that caused him to be overlooked by the NFL but now he will get a chance in the XFL as one of the DC Defenders’ draft picks.
Alex Jensen, South Dakota – OL
Alex Jensen is the second offensive lineman to be one of the Defenders’ draft picks. Jensen spent six years with South Dakota, but by 2018, he was playing in the majority of games. In 2022, Jensen became one of the team’s captains. Despite missing the first game of the 2022 season, Jensen played in the remaining ten games. Throughout his collegiate career, he did remain fairly healthy, which can be a help to the DC Defenders.
Former East Carolina WR CJ Johnson (5) – Rob Goldberg Jr./East Carolina University Athletics
CJ Johnson, East Carolina – WR
The DC Defenders lost multiple wide receivers to the NFL, causing a need for replacements. CJ Johnson spent four years at East Carolina, playing the majority of the games each year. In 2022, Johnson played in 13 games for East Carolina. Johnson had 67 receptions for 1,016 yards in 2022, according to Sports Reference. He also had ten touchdowns and averaged 15.2 yards per reception, which is substantial given the total number of receptions. Johnson could be one of the Defenders’ draft picks to make an impact in 2024.
Kaleb Oliver, Western Kentucky – LB
Linebacker, Kaleb Oliver, began his collegiate career at Georgia Tech. After three years, he transferred to Western Kentucky, where he played for two years. In 2022, Oliver had 62 combined tackles, 42 of which were solo, and 3.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had two sacks, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. The DC Defenders had a solid defense in 2022, and Oliver could be a valuable asset next season.
Jack Plumb, Iowa – OL
Jack Plumb is the third and final offensive lineman among the DC Defenders’ players drafted. Plumb spent five years at Iowa as a right tackle but was never a true starter. He played in 12 games for the Hawkeyes in 2022 but only started five. The XFL is giving Plump one more chance to show why he should be a starter on the offensive line.
Bentlee Sanders, Nevada – DB
Defensive back Bentlee Sanders spent six years playing college football. He first spent three years with South Florida before spending two years with Nevada. In 2022, Sanders played in 12 games where he had 82 combined tackles, 66 of them being solo and five tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He had five interceptions, one being returned for a touchdown and three forced fumbles. His turnovers make it understandable why he is one of the Defenders’ draft picks. Sanders could become a starter if he keeps up this momentum in 2024.
Former Louisville LB Mohamed Sanogo – Jamie Rhodes/USA TODAY Sports
Mohamed Sanogo, Louisville – LB
Mohamed Sanogo spent five years as a linebacker at Ole Miss before spending one year at Louisville. In 2022, Sanogo had 89 combined tackles, 44 of which were solo, according to Sports Reference. More notably, Sanogo had 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries. Sanogo could turn into a powerful weapon and it is understandable why he is one of the DC Defenders’ draft picks this year.
Ty Scott, Missouri State – WR
Wide receiver Ty Scott initially played for Central Michigan before transferring to Missouri State in 2021. In 2022, Scott played in 11 games where he had 48 receptions for 674 yards and five touchdowns, according to Missouri State University Athletics. He only averaged 4.4 receptions per game which could have held him back but he averaged 14 yards per catch. Now, as one of the Defenders’ draft picks, Scott can get a shot in the XFL if he chooses. Scott is also getting a shot with the Kansas City Chiefs and could choose to fight for a spot there.
Trea Shropshire, UAB – WR
The final of the DC Defenders’ draft picks is Trea Shropshire, a wide receiver from UAB. Shropshire spent three years at UAB, playing in 12 games just this past season. In 2022, Shropshire had 41 receptions for 923 yards and six touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. One notable aspect of his game is that he averaged 22.5 yards per reception.
The XFL sent many players to the NFL following the 2022 season and can now give more players a chance next year. Hopefully, for these DC Defenders’ draft picks, they get a shot to play in games next year, as the Defenders try for the championship.
